Angry pigs

Angry Birds may eventually spawn more clones than Tetris, yet few - if any - will stack up to Rovio's original.In theory, Pigs in Trees sounds like Angry Birds Revenge, since it involves a litter of swine attacking a flock of birdies. In practice, though, it not a copycat at all - it's a line-drawing twist on an old skool arcade game.

If anything, that 'vengeful swine versus annoyed birds' comparison may make people give it the shaft. It deserves more than that.

Wily woodpeckers

As you learn from the comic book-like intro, aggressive birds are advancing on your treehouse full of pigs (yes, they live in trees). One particular member of your herd is able to fly, so it's his job to protect as many of the four sections of the treehouse as possible.

The premise and setup actually have more in common with Firemint's Flight Control than anything else. You use your finger to draw the pig’s path on-screen. He can aim directly for an enemy woodpecker, but he will also automatically shoot any birds he comes across along the way.

You can rack up lots of points if you trace out a route that ends up knocking out multiple birds at once.

And, like its fowl game cousin, Pigs in Trees features tons of birds with personality: birds in blimps, birds with bombs, birds squawking sonic lasers. Each requires a different technique to eliminate, like shooting from the side or from the back.

Packing pigs

The chaos becomes more manageable because of all the power-ups. In the first zone, nearly every level gives you another bonus item. From dynamite and rockets to flame trails and shields, the offensive and defensive options multiply as quickly as the variety of birds.

In fact, the biggest strength of Pigs in Trees is the sheer number of ways you have to adapt your strategy. This keeps each game level fresh, and ensures Pigs in Trees is far better than the Angry Birds-alike some might mistake it for.